Printer with code-controlled tabulator structure

ABSTRACT

A format control tabulator structure for a printer is provided with a tabular position memory that can be set or cleared in response to coded input signals; a tabular position memory readout structure is also provided, as well as a tabulation control which is responsive to both input code signals and to readout signals. A form of mechanical structure for the tabulator is shown; it has tab position members designed and located not only to be read out (sensed) to control tabulation termination, but also to cooperate with a carriage position-indicating scale to visually indicate set tabular positions. The same mechanical structure is employed for margin position memory.

1 1 Dec. 2, 1975 1 1 PRINTER WlTH CODE-CONTROLLED TABULATOR STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Frederick P. Willcox, 565 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, Conn. 06840 1221 Filed: Sept. 2, 1970 211 Appl, No.: 69,103

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 581,020, Sept. 21, 1966, Pat.

[52] US. Cl. 197/179; 197/19; 197/70; 197/191 [51] Int. Cl. 341.] 21/04 [58] Field of Search 197/177, 179, 176, 63, 197/66, 20, 70,191,19

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,066,053 7/1913 Roberts 197/179 2,398,457 4/1946 Wullach... 197/19 2,860,759 11/1958 Clark 197/179 2.885052 5/1959 Toggenburger 197/179 X 2,913,083 11/1959 Hildebrandt et a1 197/177 X 2,936,871 5/1960 Cummins 197/179 2,938,618 '5/1960 Niccols 197/66 2,953,231 9/1960 Dersch 197/176 3,040,859 6/1962 Toeppen 197/63 3,063,537 11/1962 Allen, Jr. 197/176 X 3,087,594 4/1963 Seymour ct al 197/177 3,091,387 5/1963 Locke 197/176 UX 3,099,343 7/1963 DOnofrio 197/179 X 3,137,381 6/1964 Behr et al. [97/179 X 3,429,415 2/1969 Hirata 197/20 X Primary ExaminerEdgar S. Burr Assistant Examiner-R. T. Rader [57] ABSTRACT A format control tabulator structure for a printer is provided with a tabular position memory that can be set or cleared in response to coded input signals; a tabular position memory readout structure is also provided, as well as a tabulation control which is responsive to both input code signals and to readout signals. A form of mechanical structure for the tabulator is shown; it has tab position members designed and located not only to be read out (sensed) to control tabulation termination, but also to cooperate with a carriage position-indicating scale to visually indicate set tabular positions. The same mechanical structure is employed for margin position memory.

9 Claims, 54 Drawing Figures U.S.Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet10f22 3,923,138

U.S.P1tent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet2of 22 3,923,138

U.S. Patent Dec.2, 1975 Sheet30f22 3,923,138

1* T0 ccw CONTQOL Sheet 6 of 2 2 U.Si Patent Dec. 2, 1975 TO BRAKE cow-neon llO (608 US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 7 of 22 3,923,138

Fjlz 17 U.S. Patant Dec.2,1975 Sheet80f 22 3,923,138

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 9 of 22 3,923,138

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 10 0f22 3,923,138

2504 2512 r 06 8 1 -1- J 804 SPACE 25262524 2506 f BACK SPACE H-TAB Sheet 12 0f 22 U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 vU.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 13 0f22 3,923,138

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 sheet 14 m 3,923,138

OPT/CS 0N CARE/A65 Sheet 15 of 22 3,923,138

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 16 $22 3,923,138

TAPE READER, PERFORATOR, ETC.

SERIAL TO KEYBOARD & L PARALLEL -sERIAL IN E DIoDE MATRIX coNvERToR s RIAL OUT 41 0 4IO\6 4425 KEYBOARD sELEcToR RESET CUT-OFF CONTROL TIMER -4l|6 v fflllkl I l I 1008 4H8 SELECTOR I I PRINTING FUNCTIONSI LNON-PRINTING FUNCTIONS] ccw DRIVE 1/2 PWR HOR. TAB CLEAR V-TAB SET V-TAB CLEAR SUPERSCRIPT :7 SHIFT SIGNAL BELL SUBSCRIPT sHIET} @;vIcE CONTROL 1| DEVICE CONTROL 2 'IDEV. coNTRoLHe-AyvIcE CONTROL 4 I INVALID coDE F sENsoR US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 17 of 22 3,923,138

. 2 OFF 4206 115 VOLTS AC 2 POWER SUPPLY 42O46N 2o VOLTS DC 4210 l 42|6 I, 42l2 1' 42m POWER b) POWER 4216 POWER b COMMUTATOR A COMMUTATOR B COMMUTATOR C I V- TAB INDICATOR RELEASE i f I V4 r- L AUXILIARY EH- L EL EE J Ifi BE E EB 1 .55 I DEVICE J I SELE TOR SELECTOR CONTROL SWITCHES 3-1/2 vOLT DC FOR SELECTOR lR-EsET TIMER}: KEYBOARD 4m) CONTROL CUT-OFF RESET MAGNETS RGIN B LL CONTROL 42 OTHER V-TAB PAPER AUXILLARIES SENSOR CIRCUIT 

1. In a printer having means for producing printing along a writing line on a recording material supported thereat, the combination including: A. positioning means to provide incremental relative motion between said printing means and said material; B. format control means cooperable with said positioning means to effect tabular positioning of said material in relation to said printing means; C. a tab-position memory having an array of position-defining means each of which can be conditioned to a set state or a cleared state such that each set position-defining means defines a tabular position; D. code-signal responsive means to effect conditioning of said position-defining means to set and cleared states; and E. memory readout means responsive to said relative motion for serially scanning said aRray to sense and provide an electrical output signal for each set position-defining means sensed as it occurs in metered relationship to said incremental relative motion, said output signal serving to effect termination of tabulation by said control means subsequent to the initiation of tabulation by an input signal to said control means.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said readout means magnetically senses each of said position-defining means that is set, and said code-signal responsive means employs electro-magnetic means to effect said conditioning.
 2. driving means cooperative with said line-feeding means for incrementally positioning said metering carriage to effect said scanning of the respective array.
 3. The combination in accordance with claim 1, A. said printer being enclosed in a case having a front wall and a relative motion position-indicating scale mounted thereon, said scale being oriented from left to right and parallel to and equally visible with said writing line; and B. said tab-position memory comprising a bar and said position-defining means being individual members equally spaced and retained thereon for limited motion to either a set or a cleared position, said bar being supported parallel to said scale and in proximity thereto, and said members being so shaped that when in a set position one portion is directly visible adjacent said scale to indicate its position and another portion thereof is in position to be sensed by said readout means.
 4. The combination in accordance with claim 1, A. said tab-position memory comprising a bar and said position-defining means being individual members equally spaced and retained thereon for limited motion to either a set or a cleared position, said members being so shaped that when in a set position one portion thereof is in position to be sensed by said readout means; and B. said readout means employing an optical system to effect said sensing, said system comprising a light source supported adjacent one end of said bar to project an essentially collimated beam of light parallel thereto, said system further including a photo-electric sensor positioned to receive said light beam and supported adjacent the other end of said bar, and an optical structure comprising said scanning part of said readout means supported for movement along said light beam parallel to and closely adjacent said bar, said structure including optics for re-imaging said light source and said photo-electric sensor at a common point so located that the light beam is disturbed by a portion of the set member that is being sensed.
 5. In a printer for producing printing along a writing line by printing means supported by a print carriage for movement parallel to said writing line, means for incrementally positioning said carriage, means for supporting a page of recording material at said writing line, means for incrementally line-feeding said page of recording material past said writing line, the combination including: A. format control means cooperable with said print carriage positioning means to effect horizontal tabular positioning of said carriage, and further cooperable with said line-feeding means to effect vertical tabular positioning of said page of material; B. a horizontal-tab-position memory and a vertical-tab-position memory, each memory having an array of respective tab-position-defining means with each position-defining means being conditionable to a set state or a cleared state such that each set position-defining means defines a respective tabular position for horizontal or vertical tabular positioning; and C. a first and a second code-signal responsive means to respectively effect conditioning of said respective position-defining means to set states and cleared states.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said first and said second code-signal responsive means employ respective electro-magnetic means to condition position-defining means in the respective arrays to set and cleared states.
 7. The combination of claim 5 further including: A. a first memory readout means for serially scanning the horizontal-tAb-position memory array to sense and provide an electrical output signal for each set horizontal-tab-position-defining means as it occurs in metered relationship to the incremental positioning of the print carriage, said output signal serving as a horizontal tabulation termination signal to said format control means; and B. A second memory readout means for serially scanning the vertical-tab-position-memory array to sense and provide an electrical output signal for each set vertical-tab-position-defining means as it occurs in metered relationship to the incremental line-feeding of a page of material, said output signal serving as a vertical tabulation termination signal to said format control means.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein: A. said memory arrays each comprise similar linear arrays of position-defining means, said linear arrays being supported parallel to and closely spaced from each other and from the line of travel of said print carriage; B. said first readout means is supported by said print carriage for scanning said horizontal-tab-position memory array; and C. said combination further includes:
 9. In an input signal responsive electrically controlled and operated page printer for producing printing along a writing line by a printing device supported by a carriage for movement parallel to said writing line, electrically powered means for incrementally positioning said carriage, control means for said positioning means responsive to respective input signals calling for spacing, tabulation, and carriage return operations, a case generally enclosing said printer, a carriage position scale mounted on the front wall of said case parallel to said writing line and equally visible therewith, a carriage position indicator supported by said carriage and cooperating with said scale, tabular position memory means and margin position memory means each comprising a bar with a plurality of equally spaced stop members retained thereon for limited motion to either a set or a cleared position, means to set or clear said members, said bars supported one above the other and parallel to said writing line and closely spaced from the line of travel of said carriage and from said scale, said members so shaped that when in a set position one portion thereof is directly visible adjacent said scale to indicate its position and another portion is in position to be sensed, and tabular and margin memory position sensing means supported by said carriage and arranged to scan said tabular and margin memory means, to sense any set member and provide an electrical termination signal to said control means to respectively terminate any signal-initiated tabulation or carriage return operation, or to inhibit further spacing operation. 